Well I and my family drove from Seattle to Red Deer Alberta (that's
across the Rocky Mountains) pulling a 4'x8' utility trailer loaded with
our basic camping gear and three bicycles.  We have four kids too.  We
started loosing water as soon as we hit the mountains.  The head gaskets
gave up all together on the other side.  Lucky for us we were attending
a family reunion at the time and were able to secure a garage and shop
tools; like ramps, vise, breaker bar etc...  We did it ourselves.

It took three days.  (one to get he head off, one to get the heads
delivered from Vancouver, and one to put it together.)  Needless to say
it ruined our vacation.

But you must understand that we had 135,000 miles on it at the time and
would have blown a gasket regardless of what or where I was at.  The
Rocky Mountains didn't help the situation I'm sure.

I felt doubly bad because I was warned about the gaskets before I left
by a VW Dealer Mechanic.  I didn't believe him and thought he was trying
to take me for a stupid idiot and the $2400 he said new heads would cost
me.

But I'd say that if a person had fresh head gaskets that he'd not have
to worry about a similar trip in the mountains pulling a trailer  I
would recommend third gear and low RPMs on the way up.

One thing another Vanagon mechanic told me is that the trannys aren't up
to the task.  He says they are weak and won't put up with the load.
That may be true and maybe I was very lucky to get the thing back to
Seattle in one piece.

> ----------
> From:         SBate82659[SMTP:SBate82659@AOL.COM]
> Reply To:     SBate82659
> Sent:         Sunday, March 08, 1998 6:38 AM
> To:   Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Towing a Pop-Up Camper with a Vanagon
>
> Hello Vanagoneers,
>
> Am I the only one crazy enough to think of towing a small pop-up
> camper  with
> a Vanagon?
> Have others of you towed something like this (approx. 500 #'s) for an
> appreciable distance (>1000 miles)?
> If so, what was your experience - does this put too much strain on the
> little
> bugger?
> Could you carry a full passenger load while pulling it?
> What about mountains - just sit back and slowly watch the scenery
> pass?!
>
> I have an '87 with 4-speed and an old Apache Eagle pop-up that
> physically fits
> well behind the Vanagon (I think wind resistance would not be a
> problem).
> I've towed it around locally and it seems to work fine.
> My biggest fear is setting off on a trip only to find out halfway
> there that
> it is putting undue stress on the Vanagon.
>
> I don't want to turn the Wasserboxer into a Wasserspewer!
>
> Sam Bateman
> Fork Union, VA
> '87 Vanagon GL w/120,000 miles
>